Food buffet retractable utensil

ABSTRACT

The invention is a retractable utensil holder for use at a food buffet or salad bar. The invention is comprised of a utensil, a retractable cord, and a buffet bar. The retractable cord would be used to keep the utensil away from the food when not in use, and thus promote a more sanitary facility. The invention as used would simply require the patron of the food buffet to grab the utensil and pull it down to the desired location for food retrieval. When the user is finished with the utensil, he or she can simply let go and the retractable cord will carry the utensil away from the food.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a retractable utensil for use at a food buffet.

In most restaurants and other eating establishments, sanitation is critical to the success of the business, and is especially important at a food buffet. At most food buffets and salad bars, a pair of tongs or a ladle will rest in the food until the next person picks it up for use. This device seeks to eliminate the dangers of food poisoning by keeping the utensil that interacts with the food away from the food when not in operation.

B. Prior Art

The Oliver et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,413) discloses a writing instrument attached to a cord that is retractable into a housing.

The Wax patent application Publication (U.S. Pub. No. 2004/0006850) discloses a system of securing a pen so as to prevent accidental lost or theft.

The Lieberman patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,336) discloses a portable power tool having a retractable hook.

The Kimball patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,708) discloses a retractable golfing tool.

The Paugh patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,165) discloses a retraction reel for keys and the like.

The Lombardo et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. Des. 465,645) illustrates a design for a retractable utensil device.

The Young patent (U.S. Pat. No. Des. 400,349) illustrates a design for a housing for a retraction reel for keys and the like.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a retractable utensil holder for use at a food buffet or salad bar. The invention is comprised of a utensil, a retractable cord, and a buffet bar. The retractable cord would be used to keep the utensil away from the food when not in use, and thus promote a more sanitary facility. The invention as used would simply require the patron of the food buffet to grab the utensil and pull it down to the desired location for food retrieval. When the user is finished with the utensil, he or she can simply let go and the retractable cord will carry the utensil away from the food. Another added benefit of this invention is that small children would need an adult to serve a child from a buffet table, which will reduce waste that occurs from children who put too much food on their plates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention:

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric rendering of the invention in the retracted state;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

Detailed reference will now be made to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. An invention 10 is comprised of a utensil, tong in this case, 15 that has a clip 16 connected at an end. A retractable cord 17 is connected at one end to the clip 16. Connected to the opposite end of the cord 17 is a retractable device 18. A swing 19 is connected to the housing of the retractable device 18. A clip 20 is attached to the swing 19, and the overhang of a food bar 21.

An alternative embodiment is to use a telephone-type cord 30 that coils up in its natural state. The telephone-type cord would replace the cord 17, retractable device 18, and swing 19 combination mentioned above.

Either of the two embodiments mentioned above could be used for any type of utensil that may be found at a food buffet or salad bar. A utensil may be comprised of a pair of tongs, a ladle, a set of serving forks, a serving spoon, etc.

While the embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, certain modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to modify the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. (canceled)
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. A retractable utensil for use at a food buffet comprising: (a) a utensil; (b) a clip connected to one end of the utensil; (c) a telephone-type cord connected at one end to the clip; wherein the telephone-type cord is a cord that coils up in a natural state; (d) a swing connected to the telephone-type cord; and (e) a clip connecting the swing and a overhang of a food bar.
 5. The utensil as described in claim 4 comprising a serving spoon, a serving fork, a ladle, or a pair of tongs. 